Faith-Based Security Headlines
These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters.
Man pepper sprays priest during confession at Texas church
A Catholic Church in Texas is suspending confessions indefinitely after a priest was doused with pepper spray while administering the Sacrament of Reconciliation to the public. St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral in Amarillo, Texas, announced on its Facebook page on April 10 that “this evening someone dealing with mental health issues pepper sprayed Fr. Tony while he was hearing confessions.” The post, written by the church’s pastor, the Rev. Tony Neusch, stressed that he was “okay” and did not require “medical attention.” He added, “We will suspend confessions, except by appointment, until security cameras can be installed in the Chapel.
Analyst Comment:
Sprays have been used in attacks of houses of worship in the past. In December of 2023 Volunteers help stop attack at Georgetown synagogue using security training skills. The perpetrator sprayed a noxious gas. Faith-Based Organizations (FBO) should consider all types of threats, including those using pepper spray and other noxious sprays.
FBOs should consider using volunteers trained in security.
Faith-Based ISAO’s website provides resources in the Resource Library, including information on Securing Facilities and People.
TODAY TODAY TODAY TODAY TODAY TODAY
April 17, 2024 02:00 PM Eastern
SCN: Passover without Fear: Preparedness & Security Considerations in Today’s World
Join FBI Director Christopher Wray for Passover Without Fear: Preparedness & Security Considerations. In Today’s World Join the Secure Community Network (SCN) and co-sponsors, The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), for a pre-Passover briefing on the threat environment and best practices to keep this Passover season as safe, secure, and welcoming as possible.
Weekly Security Sprint EP 61. Iran, Hostile Events, Cyber awareness, Vehicle Ramming and more!
The Gate 15 Security Sprint is a weekly rundown of the week’s notable all-hazards security news, risks and threats and some of the key focus areas for organizations to consider behind the headlines. Gate 15 team members discuss physical security, cybersecurity, natural hazards, health threats and other issues across our environment.
In this Week’s Security Sprint, Dave and Andy discuss:
- Israeli war cabinet to meet again to consider response to Iran’s attack
- Idaho teen arrested for allegedly plotting to attack church in name of ISIS
- What we know about (name omitted), the man accused of driving into a Brenham DPS office
- Man who confronted attacker with bollard and other bystanders praised for heroic acts during Bondi stabbings
- Posture Statement of General Timothy D. Haugh 2024.
The above Gate 15 Weekly Security Sprint website also provides links to many security-related items of interest.
Information on other Gate 15 podcasts can be found at Podcasts (gate15.global).
Get the Daily Awareness Post Delivered to your Email!
More Faith-Based Stories
Video shows man accused of breaking into Philadelphia church several times
PA: Police respond to several incidents targeting local Jewish institutions
MD: Man Wanted For Hate Crime Following Vandalism, Burglary At Glen Burnie Church: Police
UPDATE: All charges dismissed against Chattanooga man who urinated on Islamic Center
GA: Victim shoots, kills armed robber; second suspect found urinating in front of church, police say
ME: Antisemitic graffiti found near Bangor synagogue as similar acts increase across the country
Antisemitic incidents in Colorado reached historic levels in 2023, ADL reports
Fake priest preyed on churches across US in string of robberies, California cops say
International House of Prayer Kansas City to shutter in wake of Mike Bickle scandal: report
Kenya: Christian woman killed by son, daughter-in-law for refusing return to Islam
ADL: Global Antisemitic Incidents In the Wake of Hamas’ War on Israel
Select All-Hazards Stories
Anti-Israel protesters wave Hezbollah banner, set American flags on fire during NYC unrest
Google workers arrested after protesting company’s work with Israel
Disturbing moment anti-Israel protesters swarm NYC subway chanting ‘Iran you make us proud’
California Law Enforcement Search for Delinquent Seen Defacing Israeli Flags
Pro-Palestine Protests in the U.S. Since October 7, 2023
Pro-Israel Protests in the U.S. Since October 7, 2023
UK’s Cameron, in Israel, says Israelis have decided to retaliate against Iran
US, Chinese defence chiefs talk for first time in more than 2 years
Indian police kill 29 suspected Maoist rebels in a gunbattle in a central state
Severe Thunderstorms in the Midwest and Heavy Snow in the Northern Rockies on Wednesday National Weather Service
Scammers follow the news about student loan forgiveness
Hackers Linked to Russia’s Military Claim Credit for Sabotaging US Water Utilities
Google will provide AI to the military for disaster response
T-Mobile, Verizon workers get texts offering $300 for SIM swaps
More Security-focused Content
The FB-ISAO’s sponsor Gate 15 publishes a free daily newsletter called the SUN. Curated from their open source intelligence collection process, the SUN informs leaders and analysts with the critical news of the day and provides a holistic look at the current global, all-hazards threat environment. Ahead of the daily news cycle, the SUN allows current situational awareness into the topics that will impact your organization. To sign-up for The SUN, please sign up below.
